Tag Archives: Facebook

The bonds to my past memories are not just those happy little ones sticking profoundly forever in mind. Nor are those sad reminiscences of loss beyond control. They can be found in every little object, early youth notes, photography and souvenirs of this kind. My memories are fragmented in life cycles. A black and white photo as a child, a classmate book note with funky eternal friendship quotes, handwritten lectures, a 2002 laptop lying in some forgotten shelf, a bulk of handwritten letters and postcards in a grimy corner, old pictures of my grandparents… Pretty much this crafts my past archaic collection.

Going through these tiny bits and pieces can wake up nothing but sentimental feelings. As well a little regretful sentiment since the tools of capturing those moments seemed quite limited. I can rely on parents’ story telling about my childhood experience since video footages were inexistent back then. It makes me smile when I think how big of a deal was to own a simple camera, or to recall the countless times us kids were brought by parents at the Skanderbeg square for photo shooting session. That’s the place where “paparazzi” were staying until late 90s.

Now life snapshots are floating in digital clouds. Last time I remember stepping into a store and developing pictures was when I needed a photo for my biometric passport. I don’t even know how these shops manage to stay in business any longer. In digital age we have grown to be immense consumers. Springtime in Sicily resulted in 1,000 pictures taken in 5 days, 100+ for the perfect shot and yet not fully satisfied. My hard copy photo albums have been smoothly substituted by the irresistible power of photo sharing of Facebook or simple files in computer.

Technology is such a blessing and a curse at the same time. My worst nightmare is waking up and loosing those vivid life cycle collection due to some bug, hardware failure, topped by the horrendous thought of being victim of hacking. Therefore, I can understand the fear or the reluctance that some people have toward technological advances and social networks.

How much my life changed in the last decade in framework to the technological discoveries? A lot, unthinkable actually! Looking back it feels like I have been living in the stone age where time was ticking down much slowly. And now I’m always connected virtually at least. I only need my iPhone to access via currents all my favorite magazine and newsletters. To be in touch with friends and professional contacts it takes one click, so it does to scroll through my photo and video archive. There is an App for everything, even when mosquitoes disrupt my reading outdoors in these hot summer nights; some speedy Airbnb research to find apartments in destinations of choice or use GPS navigator or Google maps to get there with my iTunes music library on.

Things that now are taken for granted like the 3G or soon 4G networks were quite unimaginable back in 2008. I thought it was not possible to upload a picture with a status update on FB while canoeing around Alster Lake or posting a blog entry via WordPress app until I saw it actually works that simple. Just a click.

How future advances in technology will reshape our lives and trigger social change is yet to be seen. So far we live in revolutionary times of astonishing advances that have found their own fast speed track. It remains nothing but to follow.

With a nostalgic feeling of the past and impressions on the future, here’s my favorite Oscar Wilde approach: Every saint has a past and every sinner has a future.

Christmas came with a very nice gift from my parents-in-law: A Cheese Fondue Set. Since one of my favorite Fondue restaurants in Hamburg, Schweizweit, is sadly permanently closed down, I thought it is about time to start experimenting with the Fondue at home. Why not try this delicious dish for New Year’s Eve. A Cheese … Continue reading Fondue instead of […]

One of the best get away places in Albania is the south costal area. Not just because of its beatific and spectacular coastal area, but especially because of its highly contrasting forms and ubiquitous heritage. Driving through the mountains along the seaside is a special feeling. For me as a native, it’s a bit like … Continue reading South Albania: Mountain […]

Three brainies were gathered at the Europapark Rust to analyze the game Rumania vs Albanian (#RUMALB) for SAT.1. Indeed Frank Buschmann, sports anchor for SAT.1, Marcel Reif commentator legend for decades, and the brother of German national defender Mats Hummels, Jonas. The match prediction given by the ‘sport experts’ were 3:2 (Hummels), 1:0 (Reif) and even […]

Having seen a few World War II documentaries, an image of „The Führer“ with his Nazi commanders at a little house on the top of a mountain, it’s probably familiar to many. It’s known as Kehlsteinhaus or the Eagle’s Nest in Obersalzburg, Germany. The grandiose view of rocky mountains fosters a sensation of eternal power … Continue reading Time Travel at Hitle […]

Once in Napoli you have to visit Pompeii. Amazingly enough, even after 2000 years, it’s still there. Having seen the documentary Pompeii: The Last Day (BBC) lately and the movie “The Last Days of Pompeii” at a very young age, the only images I had in my mind were those of the tragic destiny of inhabitants … Continue reading One Day in Pompeii →

Call me a sentimental or ludicrous, but I adore autumn. Certainly it is connected to the magic of its sensational colors, breathtaking landscapes, falling leaves and summer-fade melancholia. What I love the most is its smooth transition from the restless, hectic and hot summer days, filled with fear of missing out, summer is too short kinda … Continue readin […]

Germany as summer destination? Oh really!!! That was exactly my reaction when I first learned about the North or East Sea islands’ destination. And believe it or not though the weather is never a guarantee (meaning peak season 22 degrees and often rain showers,) everything is booked out six months ahead. Sylt is certainly one … Continue reading Germany as Su […]

I don’t remember a time in which I followed Eurovision Song Contest like now. I’m not a big fan of Eurovision for reasons that many might relate to. I generally view it as highly subjective, political and on top crowned by questionable voting methodology – good neighbors support each other – vote trading – as … Continue reading Eurovision 2015: Which Fan Clu […]

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Travelista meets Culturista

This blog is about my ongoing life journey, my hometown, places I have visited, people I have met, travels I have taken in Albania and abroad. I hope you can relate to it and find it entertaining.
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Thanks for visiting,
Armela

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